Weekend Guide to Atlanta’s Northern Suburbs

Atlanta is made up of dozens of suburbs in the counties of Fulton, Cobb, and Gwinnett. These areas were formerly known as bedroom communities, connected to the city by streetcars, but are now known in their own right for the restaurants, shops, and businesses. Atlanta’s northern suburbs have small-town charm as well as family-friendly activities, craft breweries, and much more. The next time you’re in Atlanta, explore further north.

Alpharetta

This suburb is sprawling and includes both the quaint downtown with its independent businesses and the shopping developments with some of the best nationwide chains. Alpharetta has also become a dining destination in its own right, especially when it comes to Avalon. Every big chef in Atlanta now wants to have an outpost there.

Kennesaw

Kennesaw Mountain

The name Kennesaw comes from a Cherokee word for “burial ground,” but the suburb is perhaps most identified with its Civil War history. It was here that one of the major battles of the Atlanta Campaign took place around the mountain. It’s also where part of the Great Locomotive Chase took place. Today, it’s one of the area’s best places for families, according to Family Circle.

Where to Stay

A number of chain hotels have opened around Kennesaw State University and the I-75 exit in the last decade, but Embassy Suites Kennesaw is one of the best. It’s surrounded by great restaurants, including the Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse inside. Comfort Suites At Kennesaw State University is another budget friendly option a short walk from campus, perfect for visiting families.

Marietta

Fish and chips at Australian Bakery

Similar to neighboring Kennesaw, Marietta started as a Cherokee settlement, but the Civil War forever changed the area. It was burned during Sherman’s March to the Sea. Today, Marietta is a large area with the historic square at its center, full of shops, restaurants, and other local businesses.

What to Do

Marietta Food Tours introduce both locals and visitors to the many restaurants in the historic district, all representing different types of cuisine. Get a dose of culture at Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, which has regularly changing exhibits and a diverse permanent collection. The Marietta Museum of History focuses on the city’s past with exhibits on the military and local residents. Ghosts of Marietta runs spooky tours of the city at night. Tara comes to Marietta at the Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum, which has an extensive collection of memorabilia and artifacts from both the Margaret Mitchell book and film. The only craft brewery in the area, Red Hare Brewing Company offers weekly tours and tastings. While only open during the summer, Six Flags White Water has thrilling slides and pools to keep you cool. Sope Creek Trail is a popular walking path that goes past the ruins of a paper mill burned during the Civil War.

Where to Eat

Located on the historic square, Stockyard Burgers and Bones has different types of burgers, including wild boar and lamb burgers, along with craft beer. Bagelicious has the most authentic New York-style bagels in all of Atlanta, but be sure to bring cash. In the Marietta neighborhood of East Cobb, Seed Kitchen & Bar is one of the top-rated restaurants in the entire city. For a taste of Down Under, Australian Bakery Cafe makes Australian meat pies and also carries food items like Vegemite. A favorite of Marietta resident Alton Brown, The Red Eyed Mule serves biscuits in the morning and burgers in the afternoon. Sam’s BBQ-1 East is a notable barbecue restaurant in an unsuspecting strip mall.

Woodstock

Further north in Cherokee County, Woodstock was once a stop on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Pioneers settled here in the 1800s. Today, it’s a fast growing community with shops and restaurants.

What to Do

Reformation Brewery is the local brewery, crafting four flagship beers along with a rotating selection of specialty brews available at their taproom. Shopaholics will appreciate The Outlet Shoppes, which are accessible from the city by free shuttle, offers discounted products from Adidas, Michael Kors, Toys R Us and more. Dixie Speedway has races every Saturday night from spring to fall. You can also spend the day fishing and relaxing on Allatoona Lake.

Where to Eat

Century House Tavern is a restaurant located inside a historic home. They serve small plates and seasonal dishes. Caffeinate at Copper Coin Coffee, which serves Counter Culture Coffee, craft beer, and chef-prepared dishes. With other locations in Alpharetta and Roswell, Salt Factory Pub – Woodstock is a gastropub with over 50 beer selections. Live music and fresh seafood makes Reel Seafood great for a night out.

Where to Stay

Roswell

Barrington Hall

Named for an entrepreneur named Roswell King, he established the largest mill in North America nearby. Today, it’s one of Georgia’s largest cities. Canton Street comes alive at night when the restaurants allow you to walk around with your drinks.

Where to Stay

Sandy Springs

Anne Frank in the World

Originally just a neighborhood in Atlanta, now the city of Sandy Springs is a destination in its own right. The oldest home in the area dates back to the 1800s. Now it is an outdoors destination for its placement around the Chattahoochee River.

What to Do

Families love Morgan Falls Overlook Park for its playgrounds, but the park also has a dog park, kayak dock, and picnic facilities. Nearby is also a good place to go tubing. Sky Gym is the most unique place to work out around, offering classes in aerial arts. The strip mall location seems odd for a museum, but Anne Frank in the World: 1929-1945 is an extensive museum devoted to the Jewish girl whose diary changed the world. Heritage Sandy Springs Museum is a former farmstead devoted to local history.

Dunwoody

Croissant at Alon’s

Another community near Perimeter Mall is Dunwoody. Established in the 1830s, the area has a surprising number of historic buildings. Dunwoody Village has the Dunwoody Farmhouse, one of the most iconic structures in the city.

About Caroline Eubanks

Caroline Eubanks is a travel blogger and freelance writer from Atlanta, Georgia who has also lived in Charleston, South Carolina. Her stories from the South have appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Afar, Thrillist, Roads and Kingdoms, and BBC Travel. She shares a love for all things South: glass bottle Coca Colas, chicken and waffles, a good local craft beer and gatherings of friends and family. You can read more of her writing on her blog, Caroline in the City.

Reader Interactions

Comments

“These areas were formerly known as bedroom communities, connected to the city by streetcars,….”

I’ve lived in Northern Atlanta since the mid-70s, but I don’t recall there ever being streetcar service to the downtown area from any of its suburbs. Am I misremembering or are you using it as a euphemism for bus service? Or perhaps I am misunderstanding what the word “streetcar” means in this context.

Buy the Book

Recent Stories

Footer

This Is My South is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees at no cost to the consumer by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.